Giants' playoff picture is clearing up

The New York Giants can’t clinch the NFC East title Monday night at FedEx Field against the Washington Redskins. They can, however, go a long way toward clinching a second straight division title and going back to the playoffs to defend their Super Bowl championship.

The Giants (7-4) lead the Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, both 5-6, by two games. A victory over Washington would give the Giants a three-game lead over the Redskins and at least a two-game lead over Dallas with four games to play. Dallas faces the imploding Eagles (3-8) this Sunday.

“I think it’s a game where we can put some space between us and the rest of the division, and really be in a position to lock it up. Basically lock up our division with a win in Washington,” said Giants receiver Victor Cruz. “So, I think we understand that. We just want to continue to play good football, which is what we’re playing right now and hopefully, we can put some distance between us and the rest of our division after Monday night.”

Here is a look at what the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys face in the final five weeks of the season.

TEAM

GIANTS (7-4)

COWBOYS (5-6)

REDSKINS (5-6)

OPP. RECORD

32-23 (.582)

25-30 (.455)

27-28 (.491)

WEEK 13

at Washington (5-6)

Philadelphia (3-8)

Giants (7-4)

WEEK 14

New Orleans (5-6)

at Cincinnati (6-5)

Baltimore (9-2)

WEEK 15

at Atlanta (10-1)

Pittsburgh (6-5)

at Cleveland (3-8)

WEEK 16

at Baltimore (9-2)

New Orleans (5-6)

at Philadelphia (3-8)

WEEK 17

Philadelphia (3-8)

at Washington (5-6)

Dallas (5-6)

“This is when you need to be playing your best ball heading into the playoff atmosphere,” said Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck. “This is when you want to be playing your best. Hopefully, we can end this season playing our best ball and head into the playoffs playing that way. That’s where you want to be.”